And when he admits he expects his new club to struggle to stay in the top flight he will almost certainly be right.

He came within five minutes of ending one jinx by becoming the first Sunderland boss celebrate an August win since 2010 after Jermain Defoe – who else? – kept his cool from the penalty spot to score for a sixth away match in a row.

But a howler by rookie keeper Jordan Pickford spoilt the Black Cats’ day when he somehow let a hopeful shot from Jay Rodriguez slip under his body to leave his team with only one point.

There are also worried frowns at St Mary’s and Saints must be wondering if their sell-and-replace policy is finally going to catch them out.

New boss Claude Puel is finding it tough and, like Moyes, is still waiting for his first league win.

Sunderland central defenders Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodj high-fived each other going down the tunnel at half-time but they were left beating the turf in frustration as their resistance was finally broken.

Paddy McNair and Donald Love unveiled as Sunderland players

PADDY MCNAIR and Donald Love have been snapped wearing their new club's kit for the first time.

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Paddy McNair and Donald Love unveiled as Sunderland players

“Rodriguez wants to play so it is down to him what happens”

Claude Puel

They consoled Pickford at the final whistle but you could also see why Moyes wants to bring in Manchester City’s Joe Hart.

With Vito Mannone possibly out until December, he is left with Pickford, 22, as his first choice.

He endured a nervy opening 10 minutes until he got behind Charlie Austin’s stinging effort to turn it behind for a corner.

He spilled Saints’ first corner after two minutes and then fluffed a simple catch.

And Pickford was also mightily relieved to see Dusan Tadic’s effort sail over the bar.

To his credit, though, he settled down after denying Austin and flung himself to his right to keep out efforts from sub Shane Long and Nathan Redmond before his clanger.

Defoe looked to have sealed the win when he was brought down by Saints skipper Jose Fonte who lost his footing as he tried to stop the striker’s run in the box.

He got his feet tangled with Defoe’s and referee Lee Mason immediately pointed to the spot before Defoe hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

Puel was delighted after Rodriguez ended a 30-month injury nightmare since his last Premier League goal.

West Brom are keen to sign him this week and the Frenchman said: “I’m happy for Jay to score again – he’s had a bad injury. He wants to play so it is down to him what happens.”

Rodriguez said: “It means a lot to score, Any goal means a lot to me – just to get on the pitch was good and to score even better.

“It’s been a very long battle, I need more opportunity. Every time I’m on the pitch I am buzzing – that’s what I want to do, that’s what I love, that’s all I want to do, play football.”

Moyes jumped to Pickford’s defence and insists he is still deciding whether to bring in another keeper.

The Scot said: “Jordan said sorry about the mistake but he made a couple of really good saves. It was a young goalkeeper’s mistake but he played well.”

Moyes also believes Defoe is ready for an England call when Sam Allardyce names his first squad today.

He said: “He’s got that ability to score goals and Sam knows him better than me. If Jermain is in it I’d be thrilled. We want to get ourselves talked about and build the club up.”